Accusing the Centre of adopting a subdued attitude on the issue of providing training to Sri Lankan Air Force personnel, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Friday charged DMK president M Karunanidhi of indulging in double-talk on the issue.
“When it comes to the issue of Tamils, Karunanidhi has sweet words on his lips while having venom in his heart,” the Chief Minister said and reiterated her demand for sending the Lankan personnel back to their country immediately.
Expressing concern over the subdued attitude of the Centre on the issue, she said, “it is regrettable to note that the Indian government, which should have exhibited a lion-like approach to Sri Lanka in this issue, had been acting like a mouse.”
Jayalalithaa said if Karunanidhi had real concern for Tamils, he should have pressured the Centre to send back Lankan personnel to their country immediately. “Karunanidhi, who is adept in getting things done by intimidating the Centre whenever his family faces problems, did not do it for the sake of Tamils. His attitude has not come as a surprise to those who knew his demeanour well,” she added.
Recalling her strong demand for shifting the Lankan personnel from the Tambaram air base, the Centre’s decision to shift them to Bangalore and her further demand for not providing training to them in any part of India, Jayalalithaa said Karunanidhi had given a wishy-washy reply to the media in this regard.
A few days ago, when asked what would be his stand if the Centre decides to provide training to Lankan personnel in a place other than Tambaram, Karunanidhi, out of fear of losing ministerial berths in the Central government and to avoid danger to his family in the 2G case, had said: “If the Centre decides so, let us think about it at that time.”
